Window Treatment Mistakes - How to Get It Right the First Time

Window treatments might seem like a small detail in your home… until they’re wrong. The wrong fit, wrong fabric, or wrong install can lead to frustration, wasted money, and a look that just doesn’t work. Whether you’re designing a cozy home in Franklin or settling into a new build in June Lake, avoiding a few common mistakes can make all the difference.

Here are five of the biggest window treatment missteps, and how Southern Shades helps you steer clear of every single one.

1. Going for Price Over Quality

Yes, budget blinds from big-box retailers may seem like a quick win, but they’re rarely built to last. Most only come with a 1-year warranty for a reason. After a year or two, you may notice yellowing slats, warped materials, and hardware that starts to fail.

How to Avoid It:
Invest once, not repeatedly. Southern Shades offers premium-quality blinds with durable materials like metal mechanisms and UV-resistant finishes, all backed by a lifetime warranty. We’re a family-owned Middle Tennessee business, so we offer local support, fair pricing, and products that are truly made to last.

2. DIY Measuring Mistakes

A common (and costly) mistake: ordering blinds that don’t fit. Just a few centimeters off can lead to light gaps, uneven installations, and window treatments that don’t function properly.

We’ve seen it firsthand, one customer ordered custom shades on their own and ended up with products that were both too narrow and too short. Curtains couldn’t cover the problem, and the shades had to be reordered. Not fun.

How to Avoid It:
At Southern Shades, we handle measuring for you during our free consultation. No tape measures, no guessing, just perfect fits, every time. We ensure your shades look seamless and function exactly as they should.

3. Ignoring How Lighting Changes Color

Here’s an industry secret: what you see in-store or online might look completely different once it’s on your window. Sunlight can dramatically alter the way a color appears, especially with light-filtering materials.

That “perfect red” might turn pink once sunlight hits it. A soft gray might lean blue in your space. It’s subtle, until it’s not.

How to Avoid It:
We bring physical samples to your home and let you keep them overnight. You’ll see how the materials shift in different lighting, morning, afternoon, and evening, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you commit. This level of detail is part of why homeowners across Middle Tennessee trust us with their homes.

4. DIY or Subcontracted Installations

Even the best window treatments can fall short with a poor install. Uneven blinds, off-center mounts, or damage to your walls can make a big investment feel like a mistake.

Many companies outsource their installation to subcontractors you’ve never met, and who may not be familiar with your home, preferences, or project.

How to Avoid It:
With Southern Shades, the same person who helps you choose your treatments is the one who installs them. No strangers. No subcontractors. Just consistency, quality, and someone who knows exactly what matters to you.

5. Forgetting About Energy Efficiency

Window treatments do more than control light, they help control your energy bill, too. Many people choose blinds just based on how they look, missing out on big long-term savings.

How to Avoid It:
We’ll help you choose energy-efficient materials based on your style, light preferences, and Tennessee’s unique weather patterns. Here are some top-performing options:

• Woven Woods: Add warmth and texture while insulating against heat and cold.
  
  

• Transitional Shades: Alternate sheer and solid fabric for light control and privacy, with thermal benefits, too.
  
  

• Blackout Blinds: Keep rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter with full light and heat blocking.
  
  

• Solar Shades: Perfect for sunny spaces, they cut glare and UV rays without blocking your view.
  
  

You can save up to 30% on energy bills with the right materials, and we’ll help you find the perfect fit for every room.

Why Choose Southern Shades?

We’re a local, family-owned company serving homeowners across Middle Tennessee, from Hendersonville and Franklin to Murfreesboro and beyond. Our team handles everything in-house, offers competitive pricing, and backs every product with a true lifetime warranty.

With personalized service, top-tier products, and attention to every last detail, we make sure your window treatments look and feel exactly the way you want them to, now and for years to come.

Start With a Free Consultation

Don’t let small mistakes turn into big regrets. At Southern Shades, we make the entire process easy, stress-free, and fully customized to your home and lifestyle.

👉 Book your free consultation today and discover why so many Middle Tennessee homeowners choose Southern Shades for blinds, shades, and shutters that last a lifetime.